THE HERDS
Apply for up to £2,000 to fund outreach events to take place across May-June 2025.
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Join an international conversation about climate change through storytelling, activities and community engagement.
Art Fund is offering grants to enable museums, galleries and cultural organisations to programme activities inspired by THE HERDS, a new project from The Walk Productions, creators of the extraordinary journeys of Little Amal.
THE HERDS will feature over a hundred life-size animal puppets, created in renewable and recyclable materials, journeying 12,000 miles through Africa and Europe, gaining new species as they go, crashing into civilisation in major cities, warning of environmental disaster. The project will inspire wonder for the natural world, as well as sparking discussions about the challenges of climate change. For more information on the project please visit theherds.org.
Funding is available to support activities that connect museums and galleries’ young audiences to THE HERDS’ journey from central Africa to the Arctic Circle in a vast work of public art and climate action.
Workshops and programming can build on or be inspired by the schools' resources provided by THE HERDS or be created entirely afresh by participating museums and galleries. Grantees will also be supported with social media resources and webinars. Outreach activities can vary from hosting workshops to school visits and more, taking place across May and June 2025, culminating in joint social media activations in July for which more details will follow.
Art Fund is proud to be partnering with THE HERDS to enable activities in museums and galleries across the UK, demonstrating the collective impact of Art Fund’s network to convene their communities and hold conversations about climate change, inspired and informed by collections, public programmes and place-based activities.
What we can fund
Who can apply
Key deadlines
Conditions
As an independent charity, we receive no government funding and are entirely supported by our members, who buy the National Art Pass, as well as by the generosity of many trusts, foundations and other individuals.
- Your own page on the Art Fund website
- Marketing support and brand exposure
- Access to free tools and resources, such as Art Tickets
On average our National Art Pass network members enjoy more visitors and additional revenue
Some of our grants come with specific terms and conditions, including free or reduced entry for National Art Pass members.
Please contact:
- programmes@artfund.org for more information on grant conditions
- museums@artfund.org if you would like to know which conditions might already apply to you
Whether or not you are successful in your grant application, you may be eligible to join the National Art Pass network. Join 850+ venues across the UK working towards a shared vision – to help museums and galleries do more.
- Your own page on the Art Fund website
- Marketing support and brand exposure
- Access to free tools and resources, such as Art Tickets
On average our National Art Pass network members enjoy more visitors and additional revenue
Some of our grants come with specific terms and conditions, including free or reduced entry for National Art Pass members.
Please contact:
- programmes@artfund.org for more information on grant conditions
- museums@artfund.org if you would like to know which conditions might already apply to you
How to apply
Your application
Read the guidance
Download the guidance for applicants which explains our criteria for funding, helps you apply for a grant and gives you guidance on filling out the application form.
Get in touch
If you haven’t found what you need in the guidance document, get in touch at theherds@artfund.org
Submit your application
You can download the application questions here. Applications will open on Monday 6 January 2025.
After you've applied
Acknowledgement of application
All applications are assessed in the first instance by an Art Fund programme manager. They will provide initial feedback and discuss with you if the application needs further development before it can be progressed.
Claim your grant
If your application is successful, we will send you our offer paperwork with more details on how to claim your grant.
Follow-on relationship
After you’ve claimed your grant, and once you are a partner of the National Art Pass network, we’ll help you promote your venue and support you thanks to our expert teams.